Red Mite Chickens
Red Mite Chickens
Whilst cleaning out the chicken house the other day, we noticed some red mites hiding in the nesting box; so we have treated the chickens with red mite powder.
Red Mite Powder
According to the chicken keeping books; red mites like to live in the dark recesses of the chicken house and only come out during the night time.
They come out to feast on the chicken’s blood whilst the chickens are sleeping peacefully on their pearches.
I’d seen red mites before we started keeping chickens, but didn’t realise that they are a problem for chicken keepers.
We tried to take a photo of the red mites in the chicken coop, but unfortunately they’re so small that the camera didn’t ‘pick them up’.
Anyway, I managed to dust the chickens quite well with red mite powder.
I also put plenty of powder down in the area of the garden that the chickens like to use as a dust bath, so they can ‘treat themselves’ with red mite powder - which I imagine is less stressful for them, than having a human ruff up their feathers and other ‘warm areas’ that the red mites might be hiding in!
Red Mite Powder Chickens
Red mite powder says on the tub that it is fast acting and lasts up to six weeks.
It says it is for use in organic & intensive farming systems and is ideal for use on all birds and poultry.
The back of the red mite powder tub has loads of instructions on it, but basically says that red mites are also known as chicken mites, roost mites, and poultry mites.
The red mite powder we have states that it doesn’t ‘taint’ eggs and is suitable for organic and intensive farming - so it should be good for keeping the red mites at bay for back garden chicken keepers such as ourselves!
It goes on to say that red mite infestation can cause;
- Irritation of the chickens, resulting in depressed egg production.
- Increased feed consumption, accompanied by a decrease in growth.
- Increase in ‘floor eggs’ as nesting boxes are avoided by the chickens.
- An increase in vent pecking, cannibalism and general distress to the birds.
- Clinical anaemia, leading to dull, pale combed birds and possibly death.
- Pale coloured yolk.
- Dermatitis or skin irritation of staff caring for the chickens.
- Red Mite Powder On Chickens
The tub also says that as the red mite is a nocturnal creature, it may be best to treat the birds just before ‘lights out’.
And to thoroughly wash your hands after using red mite powder as it may cause irritation.
Armed with these facts, we seem to have gotten rid of the red mites living in our chicken’s house, but we’ll be on the look out for them on a regular basis from now on and treat the chickens as and when needed with red mite chicken powder.
We will also ensure that we’re not just treating the chickens, but make sure that the chicken house is thoroughly cleaned and all the nooks and crannies that may be ideal for red mites to live in are washed out and disinfected.
So there you have it, red mites are just another thing to watch out for when you’re new to keeping chickens!
Posted: September 23rd, 2008 under Keeping Chickens.
Tags: Keeping Chickens, Red Mite Chickens, Red Mite Powder, Red Mites
Comments
Comment from christopher farrow.
Time September 28, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I have just made a new chickin house for a chickin keeper , I have used all plastic instead of wood to see if the red mite will not want to live there. please tell me what you think of this idea
Comment from paul
Time February 8, 2009 at 4:53 pm
treat the ends of your perch with mite powder
Comment from Ana
Time February 8, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I have chickens that have mites. Theirs an infestation in the coop. One of them we had to separate. I don’t think she’ll survive another day. Her name is Sippie.
Comment from Lucy
Time April 9, 2009 at 7:58 am
We use diatomaceous earth sprinkled in their next boxes and on their perches to keep mites away. It has worked well so far. No red mites at all and only one case of scaly leg mite from a bought-in chicken. Diatom is a natural product which contains no chemical insecticides. It is the dried shells of tiny creatures, which soak up any moisture, hence its ability to kill mites. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth
Comment from jo smith
Time August 22, 2009 at 6:10 pm
i have just found out that we have red mites i have treated thoroughly with the powder and hopefully it will work my chicks have reduced their egg output but i thought this was due to mounlting which they are doing do they loose feathers with red mite
Comment from Mags
Time May 15, 2010 at 10:42 pm
I’ve heard that a scattering of lime under the nesting material keeps mites at bay; also one can make a solution to spray into the nooks and crannies around the coop. Dust the floor also.
Comment from Mike
Time June 14, 2010 at 8:53 pm
White vinegar is a great very cheap alternative to control and kill red mite. Also Builders lime available from hardware or builders merchants works very well to keep the littl blighters away. Use both liberally to srpay into all the crevices and liberally spread the lime everywhere - also mix to a creamy liquid and paint the inside of the coop with it.
Cheap cheerful and effective.
Use cider vinegar in the hens drinking water as this also deters red mite.
good luck - it may take some time to get rid of a serious infestation.
Comment from Juliano Wright
Time July 8, 2010 at 2:12 pm
I have had an infestation of red mite and have done the usual but was told to re treat every 6 days to be sure all mites have been killed because mite eggs are not affected by the treatment. I have been instructed to give the hens plenty of garlic in their diet as red mite dislikes garlic.
Comment from Kathie
Time September 24, 2008 at 9:53 am
I am going to check our girls too. I am assuming it is here in the US also. Funny photo of the girls with the powder on their backs. I am learning a lot from you.